]]>One of the most important factors in choosing the right car shipping company is time. Which one will deliver in the time frame you need it to, and what kind of guarantee can they offer? Unfortunately, many different factors can affect a delivery time (weather, unexpected construction delays, etc.), so carriers cannot guarantee a time—but they can provide you with their best estimate based on experience in the industry. This guide will help you choose a high-quality shipping company that knows how to estimate fairly and accurately.

Is There Such Thing as a Guaranteed Delivery Date?

Each car shipping company may give you a slightly different time estimate for your delivery, which can be a confusing and frustrating part of the process. Unfortunately, car shipping carriers cannot promise you an exact date as to when your car will be delivered because of environmental, unexpected weather changes and changing road conditions.

While a car shipping company cannot estimate your delivery down to the day, they should be able to provide an accurate time estimate. Work with the carrier by considering a few dates you can drop off your vehicle. For example, can you leave your vehicle with the carrier a week earlier than you originally planned? Having a greater flexibility for your ‘before’ date will improve the odds of having your vehicle delivered on the day (or near the day) you’d like.

How Long Will It Take From Pick-Up to Delivery?

The length of time you’ll be without your vehicle depends on how far it’s traveling (common sense we know, but that’s the basics of it!) For example, if you’re going a few states over, it may just take 2-3 days. If your vehicle is traveling from the west coast to the mid-west), you can expect a 5-7 delivery time. If your vehicle is traveling from the west coast to the east coast, you can expect a 7-10 day delivery time. In some situations, a vehicle can be dropped off and picked up on the same day, depending on the length of travel.

No matter how near or far your vehicle is being shipped to, it all comes down to quality, care, and service. Ship A Car Direct offers many advantages that make us the most trusted car shipper around, including: door to door service, no upfront deposit required, and a damage-free guarantee! Contact us today for a free quote!

]]>If you’ve never relied on a car shipping company to move your vehicle from point A to point B, the process can seem a bit daunting. When you know the basics of shipping, finding the right company to ship your vehicle becomes manageable. Read on to learn how car shipping works, as well as a short guide to finding the very best car shipping company for you.

The process is relatively simple: when you need to ship your car, you can invest in a car shipping broker to find the right carrier for you. Some brokers excel at what they do, by screening thousands of carriers to find just the right one for each customer. Once you’ve found a few shipping companies you’re interested in (read our guide below to know how to find the right company), you’ll receive an online quote, sign your contract, arrange for a pick-up time and agree on a delivery ‘window’ of time.

Do Your Due Diligence (to Find the Right Car Shipping Company For You)

Now that you know how car shipping works, it’s time to find the right one! Here are two straightforward ways you can determine which company will give you the care, attention, and service you require (and which ones won’t):

Read the reviews. Online reviews of a company can often be found on their website. It’s a great way for a prospective customer to find out how on-time a vehicle is delivered, and how well customers are treated from start to finish. You can search through reviews to answer a few key questions such as: are you current on all required licenses to transport? What insurance do you offer? Are there any hidden/additional fees I need to consider? What is the communication like? Do they offer any ‘perks’ like door-to-door service?

What kind of service do they offer? Your vehicle has been an important investment, and one you treat with the utmost care. So, shouldn’t your car transport company treat it with the same level of care when it’s out of your hands? Look for keywords when considering a transport company such as ‘guarantee’ (and then ask them what and how they guarantee your vehicle will be returned to you in the same condition you left it!)

Whether you’re shipping your car across state lines or across the open sea, it takes some time and commitment to finding the right carrier for you. If you don’t have the time to devote learning about each available carrier (who does?), put trust in the experts. Ship A Car Direct offers their customers the advantage of pre-screened carriers (7,500 of them!), as well as a damage-free guarantee. Contact them today to learn why so many people have placed their trust and their vehicle in Ship A Car Directs hands!

]]>Can My Car Be Shipped If It Has Things in It?http://www.shipacardirect.com/blog/can-car-shipped-things/
Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:17:41 +0000http://www.shipacardirect.com/blog/?p=863You’ve chosen a carrier to move your vehicle from point ...

]]>You’ve chosen a carrier to move your vehicle from point A to point B, and you’ve signed the dotted line. The next question is, can your car be shipped if it has your personal belongings in it? Some carriers will tell you yes, while others will insist on ‘no.’ In this article, we’ll reveal an important transport shipping law, and how you can turn your vehicle transport a smooth, easy and damage-free experience.

The Answer is…

While many people still pack their vehicle with personal items and many carriers accept items packed in the vehicle, the official answer is no. You can’t place items in your vehicle because there aren’t any carriers or brokers licensed to transport a vehicle with items in it. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t pack items in your car. Some carriers will still allow it, with limitations, and often with an extra fee attached. If you choose to pack your vehicle with personal items, the general rule of thumb is to limit the total weight amount to 100 pounds or less.

What to Expect When You Choose Ship A Car Direct

When you choose Ship A Car Direct as your car transport broker, you’ll have the peace of mind of a BBB accredited company that has been trusted and loved by customers all over the country. We are not licensed to ship household items, so we cannot transport them over state lines. However, you can pack anything else in your car beside household goods. You can learn more about our license from the Department of Transportation, as well as other transport companies’ licenses. After clicking on the following link, enter 632461 in the field next to MC: https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_carrquery.prc_carrlist

Ship A Car Direct is a unique car shipping company because of our screening process, and our damage-free guarantee. Unlike many other brokers who work with any available carrier, we offer our customers a selective screening process for carriers that meet their service and quality needs. We review over 7,500 carriers and weed out those who don’t make the cut. Our damage-free insurance guarantee that should your vehicle occur damage, it’ll be covered. If they don’t, we’ll come in and help pay for the damage. Contact us today at 1-866-221-1664 to learn more!

]]>5 Tips to Get Your Car Ready for Shippinghttp://www.shipacardirect.com/blog/5-tips-get-car-ready-shipping/
Thu, 01 Mar 2018 22:12:34 +0000http://www.shipacardirect.com/blog/?p=859When you are moving across state lines, it’s often easier ...

]]>When you are moving across state lines, it’s often easier to ship your vehicle instead of driving it across the country yourself. Once you’ve found the right car shipping company, you’ll need to prepare your car ready for transportation. Follow these five steps to make sure your vehicle reaches its intended destination without any hiccups along the way!

Wash Your Car

Once you have the shipping date of your vehicle, make sure to clean the exterior of your car thoroughly. Washing the surface gives you an opportunity to do a detailed investigation and know the condition of your automobile. Look out for any dents, scratches and chipped paint that may be present and take photos of any defects that may be present on the car. Having this comprehensive information will help you notice if your car has incurred any damage during transportation.

Remove or Secure Loose Parts

Remove any loose or removable items on the exterior of your vehicle. Fold the side mirrors and retract or remove the car antenna and place it in the trunk. Dismount any non-permanent racks such as bike, ski, and luggage racks. If you have custom spoilers and other detachable parts, then remove them from the car to avoid damage.

Check Car Interior

Check the interior of your vehicle and remove any accessories that are custom made. Remove other detachable that can make your car venerable to theft such as GPS and DVD players. Most auto transporters do not check the car’s interior and are not liable for any damage or loss of property.

Don’t Forget About Car Maintenance

While some vehicle maintenance tasks are easy to fix, others require the expertise of a mechanic. Inform your mechanic days in advance so that they can fix any issues in time.

Check the antifreeze, motor oil and battery life to determine if they need to be refilled or changed. The battery should be fully charged while the fluids including engine oil should be at the recommended levels. When your car is in good condition during shipping it will save you both time and money.

Empty the Gas Tank and Check the Odometer

A full gas tank will add unnecessary weight to the carrier and your car. Check that the gas tank is not more than ¼ full. Additional gas is not needed as your car will not be driven during long distance except when it’s getting offloaded from the transport hauler.

Remember to check the odometer of your vehicle and record the displayed values.

When shipping your car to a new location, do extensive research to ensure the measures your taking will help your car reach its final destination in good shape. By following the above steps, your vehicle will be delivered to you in the same state it was before shipping.

If you need a car shipping company that has dozens of testimonials and years of experience under their belt, contact Ship A Car Direct today. Receive a free quote, and helpful advice room the best in the industry. Call them today at (866) 221-1664.

]]>Moving cross-country can be overwhelming and stressful—on top of everything else you have to do, you have to move your vehicle too! Sending your car via a trustworthy car shipping company can take one more item off your list and give you the peace of mind your vehicle is being cared for across state lines!

The Unexpected Benefits of Shipping Your Vehicle

Not every vehicle is entirely roadworthy for a long road trip. Shipping that old, much-loved jalopy is a much safer option. You may want to ship that brand-new Mercedes-Benz too, we all know well the dangers of driving long miles on congested roadways and you may just be saving yourself some unnecessary repair costs from an accident or break-down.

Vehicle shipping is an excellent supplement to your vehicle purchases and sales during moving time, too. Schedule a pickup from a vehicle shipment company and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from a professional taking care of your vehicle. It’s just one more thing you don’t have to worry about—and that’s worth its weight in gold.

While shipping a car isn’t cheap, it may not be as expensive as you think, either. Consider all the costs if you were to drive the vehicle yourself. You’d have to pay for wear and tear on the vehicle, gas, overnight stays at hotels across the country and required maintenance like oil changes. As you should with any sort of large investment, weight your options with honest and thorough math. When all is said and done, you may find yourself surprised by the number of dollar bills you will save by shipping your vehicle. All it takes to be sure of your best choice for vehicle transport is some research, a small price to pay for real savings and security.

Are you looking for a trusted, experienced and honest car shipper who will care for your vehicle as well as you do? Contact Ship a Car Direct and browse through their testimonials from past customers, vouching for their superior service!

]]>Gas prices are back down, but fuel efficiency continues to be a priority for car buyers everywhere. While history has shown that fuel prices don’t stay the same forever, there are many cars on the market that offer impressive gas mileage. Let’s examine the top 5 fuel economy cars of 2017-18 so you can find the perfect choice for you!

Toyota Prius

The previous generation Toyota Prius offered 44 mpg, but recent tests show the newer models offer significant improvements at 52 mpg. Additionally, the new series of Prius offers more options than ever before with the Prius standard model, Prime, C, V, and more. Toyota’s newest upgrades allow the car to handle more responsively, and also offer more comfortability to passengers. The standard model can drive wholly on electric, typically up to 25 mph. At this point, the much quieter engine kicks in.

Hyundai Ioniq

Is this the perfect commuter car? It could be! The first real contender to the Toyota Prius is the Hyundai Ioniq. This car features a hatchback and silhouette that looks similar to the Prius. Furthermore, this hybrid matches it at 52 mpg for fuel consumption. The Ioniq is powered by a four-cylinder 1.6-liter engine that offers 139 HP when paired with the electric drive feature. While this car is not as responsive as other makes, like other hybrids, it can drive solely on electric at lower speeds. Other available versions are fully electric and plug-in.

Kia Niro

This car may be the perfect crossover for singles and couples alike. The Niro is a five-passenger hybrid that offers both cargo versatility and fuel efficiency. It features a 1.6-liter engine with an electric drive unit that, like the Ioniq, offers a combined 139 HP. The lithium-ion battery that powers the car is located under the rear seat, so when the seats are folded down, it offers a great deal of cargo space. While it sounds a lot like the Ioniq and Prius, it only offers 43 mpg overall.

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Travel without struggle with this stylish hybrid! Chevy’s newest hybrid borrows technology from the Volt. The newly redesigned Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid features a mix of style and fuel efficiency. It’s competitive with other midsize sedans with features like controls that are easy to use and a quiet cabin. In CR tests, the Malibu Hybrid achieved a shocking 41 mpg overall. This is a great choice for those with families who are looking for a more fuel-efficient car with lots of room.

Lexus CT 200h

Travel in comfort, and peace of mind knowing it’s fuel efficient! While it’s not a Prius, the small CT 200h hatchback offers great fuel economy. At 40 mpg, this car offers a well-assembled cabin made from quality materials, modest cargo capacity, and outstanding reliability. The CT can also drive wholly on electric power at lower speeds.

Your car is a valued possession, and no one gets that more than us. At Ship A Car Direct, we treat your car like it’s ours—which means we will care for it every step of the way—no matter how far it needs to be shipped! We aren’t like any other shipping company. Contact us today to receive a free quote, learn about our ‘no upfront fees’ and our damage-free guarantee!

]]>In-Car Technology: How Much is Too Much?http://www.shipacardirect.com/blog/car-technology-much-much/
Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:49:51 +0000http://www.shipacardirect.com/blog/?p=850Car technologies are designed to make driving easier and simpler. ...

]]>Car technologies are designed to make driving easier and simpler. However, the sights and sounds of technology can be distracting—and can even cause an accident. This article will cover the important question of, “How much is too much?” so you stay as safe and sound on the road as ever before.

GPS Navigation Touchscreens

More cars than ever before are being built with GPS navigation touchscreens to make driving easier. The screen looks exactly like a regular computer screen with an operating system and installed software. Instead of using a mouse, you touch buttons on the screen to make various commands, such as typing in an address or changing the route. When using a touchscreen, don’t take your eyes away from the road. The most common cause of accident occurs through distracted driving, so find a time to adjust your navigation system before you start driving.

Televisions

Some televisions are built into certain models of cars, while other sets are sold separately and must be installed. Most in-car TVs are not made for the driver to watch; however, drivers can easily tune into a program by sound. Listening to the sounds of a TV program is likely to distract their attention. So, wherever the television is placed, be mindful that even listening to what’s on the TV can cause accidents.

Satellite Radios

In-car satellite radios provide more listening options than standard AM and FM radio. There are hundreds of stations to choose from, including talk radio, news and entertainment, and podcasts. Channel surfing is just as distracting as texting or talking on the phone, and can cause a catastrophic accident, in the same way driving under the influence can.

Do you have a car you just sold to someone who lives across the country, or are you moving to another state and don’t want to worry about the wear and tear on your vehicle? Using a shipping company can allow you to kill two birds with one stone! Ship A Car Direct is the perfect solution to your car shipping needs. Contact them today at (866) 221-1664 and receive a free quote over the phone!

]]>If you need to move your vehicle, finding the right transportation company can seem like a daunting task. Understanding the benefits of using a qualified and experienced transport broker to ship your vehicle can make the process simple and easy.

A Transport Broker Has Access to a Network of Carriers

Car transport brokers have a unique relationship with carriers that take the work out of finding the right carrier for the car owner. When you need to move your vehicle, who has the time to research and learn about every individual and available carrier? This is the broker’s job, along with facilitating a beneficial relationship between the customer and the right match in a transport carrier. Need to find the right carrier but don’t have the time to research each one? Ship A Car Direct will do it for you. They review over 7,500 carriers and weed out nearly 80 percent of them to ensure you get a high-quality transport carrier for your vehicle!

A Transport Broker Takes Care of All the Details

A transport broker does the ‘heavy lifting’ by ensuring that the carrier meets your criteria for a smooth and effortless move. For example, some carriers may not have the necessary equipment during the time you need it, or may not be licensed to move your vehicle in the states you need it to. A reputable transport broker can even work out a more competitive rate for your vehicle than you could get alone. However, not all brokerage companies can offer this—which is why finding the right company to seek out the very best shipping company for your needs is essential. At www.shipacardirect.com, they never use the “terminal to terminal” shipping process, but instead, finds one quality carrier to pick up your car and drops it off to you—safe, sound and taken care of with precision and detail.

The Right Transport Broker Will Offer You ‘Extras’ You Can’t Do Without

Many transport brokers just do the bare minimum, connecting customers with a carrier—and that’s it. Ship A Car Direct continuously stands out from the competition because of their Iron-Clad, Damage Free Guarantee and superior service, and their free user video and email series—which will keep you informed and educated every step of the way.

As a highly reputable car shipping broker, they carefully screen every available carrier for their customers and ensure they are fully insured and prepared to give your vehicle the royal treatment. Learn all about the benefits of choosing Ship A Car Direct as your transport broker, today!

]]>We get it: your luxury car is your baby. You treat it with the utmost care and attention on a daily basis, so why wouldn’t you expect the same from a car shipping company? Whether you’re moving your luxury car to show off at a car show or moving to the other side of the country, here are several key reasons why you should use a reputable car shipping company to transport your most prized possession.

A Reputable Company Will Save You Time and Money

Did you know that an experienced car shipping company can end up saving you money? An individual taking a trip across the country will need to pay for gas, overnight accommodations, and three meals a day. When you enlist the help of a car shipping company to transport your luxury vehicle, you just need to pay for the cost of transporting your vehicle (which can save you hundreds in the process!) ShipaCarDirect.com offers an Iron-Clad, Damage Free guarantee, so you can spend time on more pressing matters while they take care of your vehicle with the same quality of care you would.

They’ll Treat Your Luxury Vehicle as Though It’s Their Own

Reputable car shipping companies take pride in their service, which is why a luxury vehicle isn’t just someone’s ‘baby.’ When it’s in their care, they’ll treat it like their baby. Not all companies will offer the same level of care, which is why it’s important to get a competitive quote, talk to a live employee over the phone, and read up on their recent testimonials. With the right car shipping company, your vehicle will be placed under their undivided attention and care—so, the state of your luxury vehicle when you dropped it off is the exact same state it returns to you in.

Learn About a Company by Their Testimonials Page

If you want to ensure that your luxury car makes it there without so much as a scratch or dent, you need to put your trust in a car shipping company that’s not only been in the business for years (the longer, the better), but has the testimonials to show for it. Testimonials are a great validating tool for new customers to determine the quality of service, credibility and level of care the car shipping company offers. You can learn how quickly they will respond with a quote, how seamless their shipping process is (from start to finish), and how on-point they were with the estimated delivery date.

Ship A Car Direct has been BBB Accredited since 2008, and loved by hundreds of customers. At Ship a Car Direct, you’ll get a different level of service than any other shipping company. In addition to door-to-door service, they offer customers a damage-free guarantee, and no up-front costs. Get a free and instant shipping estimate today!

]]>On September 9, 2017, Xin Guobin—China’s Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology—announced at an auto forum in Tianjin that the government is working on a timeline to end production on gasoline and diesel cars. There’s no concrete policy yet; Guobin only said that regulators have begun the “relevant research” to form and implement it. In addition, China is far from the first country to announce such a goal. However, this recent announcement is particularly significant, since it is coming from the world’s largest car market, which is responsible for close to a third of the globe’s passenger vehicle sales. The Guobin announcement at Tianjin signifies the growing desire to move towards an electricity-powered vehicle-reliant society—and away from fossil-fuel powered automobiles.

For many, the advantages of electric vehicles are hard to ignore. Rather than rely on conventional internal combustion engines, they use power from electric motors. As a result, there are no tailpipe emissions, the absence of engine noise means that the vehicle is much quieter, and the lack of an engine means that it is lighter and provides better handling. Also, because of electric power, such vehicles are more cost-effective and do not need to visit the gas station for refueling. Even with hybrid vehicles—so named because they use gasoline and electricity—the engines are significantly smaller, thus lessening the thirst for fuel and thereby boosting fuel economy far beyond that of traditional gasoline- or diesel-powered cars.

However, the timeline of transition to electric varies with each country that has expressed interest in doing so. In 2016, the Dutch parliament voted to end all fossil fuel-powered cars by 2025; Norway—which is, coincidentally, the leading country in having registered electric vehicles—also has that target date. In June 2017, India set its date at 2030. Both France and Britain announced a 2040 ban date the following month. A little less than a month later, Chancellor Angela Merkel hinted the possibility of her country, Germany, following suit. And in the same month that China announced its intention to phase out gas and diesel cars, Scotland announced its intention to do so by 2032.

As for the United States, it was viewed for a long time as the country most expected to rapidly adopt electricity-based powertrain technology for vehicles. But President Trump’s decision to walk away from the Paris Climate Accord—coupled with his request for a review of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards—does not look too promising, at least for the short term. Moreover, other countries prefer to let consumer buying habits dictate the move they should adopt. There is yet to be a global consensus on the precise year when a transition to electric vehicles will be completed. Ultimately, though, if the known benefits and China’s recent announcement are anything to go by, it’s ultimately a transition that does not seem to be in danger of being reversed anytime soon—or perhaps ever.